Heidelberg and Rüdesheim

Our ship has sailed through the night and arrived in Heidelberg.  A former residence of the Electorate of the Palatinate, Heidelberg is the location of Heidelberg University, well known far beyond Germany's borders. The university, Germany's oldest, was founded in 1386. Heidelberg is the third university established by the Holy Roman Empire.  It has been a coeducational institution since 1899 and offers undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degrees in over 100 disciplines. Many of those on the cruise started out early to explore Heidelberg, in the pouring rain most carrying large red umbrellas provided by the Kara crew with Viking in white letters.  Heidelberg is a popular tourist destination because of its romantic and picturesque cityscape, including the sandstone ruins of the imposing and romantic Heidelberg Castle. Perched high above the city, awe inspiring ensemble of building from different centuries and architectural periods.  The baroque-style Old Town, also called Altstadt, is filled with quaint little shops (I wondered if the hair stylist Linda went to was in one of those quaint little shops) and dainty cafes where Linda, the McNamees, the Kerr's, the Haneberg's, and Cricket stopped at the Cafe Gundel for coffee while waiting for the shops to open on the narrow winding lanes set within the well-preserved 17th century buildings.  Someone said not to miss going on the bridge.

Heidelberg Castle

About 8 of us, including the Hickman's, the Alexander's and the Boren's stayed on board and enjoyed a leisurely breakfast.   After finishing we went to the front of the ship as we sailed away from Heidelberg to dock at Rudesheim where the rest of the group will be bused at lunchtime. Those of us who stayed behind enjoyed the scenery along the Rhine River, following our progress with a map coordinated with the mile markers along the river which let us know when an interesting town such as Worm or an ancient ruin or a Roman bridge remains were coming up.  Very relaxing, but more importantly we stayed dry!  After lunch we managed to get four tables of Bridge going. The Booray group including Bob, Winston, Ernie, and Dick gathered in the Aquavit for an afternoon's fun.  During tea time we had a demonstration on cognac and how to make Rudesheim coffee which we all tried! 

Tonight we have an optional trip into Rudesheim am Rhein for an evening of typical German entertainment and dinner. Rene, our cruise manager, provided the entertainment.
In the upstairs lounge we had a very interesting demonstration of glass blowing by a local resident, Rolf Schrade. He brought a variety of examples of his work, which were delicate, colorful, and intricate, one piece most fascinating was a wine and vinegar carafe which the bottles were inside the other. (I suppose you had to see it to appreciate its appeal!)